"As many as 97,000 persons will be benefited from the EPFO's pension scheme in this region (Gujarat), while 32 lakh persons will be benefited across the country," Gowda said while launching the scheme in the city.

The Centre had recently notified the amendment to the Employees' Pension Scheme-1995, run by Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), to provide a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to beneficiaries under the scheme.

According to EPFO estimates, around 32 lakh pensioners under the scheme, who get less than Rs 1,000 every month as pension, would immediately get the benefit. There are 49 lakh pensioners under the scheme at present.

There are about 13 lakh pensioners under the scheme who get even less than Rs 500 per month as pension.

On the occasion, Gowda mentioned various public welfare initiatives taken by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government.

He said Modi has given the mantra of 'Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan' (clean India campaign) and we all should be committed towards his vision.

Referring to the recently-launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (central government scheme to open bank accounts of poor people in the country), he said it would strengthen the poor people.

The government is organising functions simultaneously in every office of EPFO across the country.

The Centre had decided that at 37 locations, the Union Ministers will preside over the functions and felicitate the pensioners, whose minimum monthly pension is getting increased.